People are in animation, but they can connect to reality

"Are we going to stay here tonight?" Asagi finally understood that they would have to stay in the car tonight!

"Yeah," Rupa nodded heavily.

Asagi looked at MMK, and MMK turned his head away, not daring to look at Asagi. That expression clearly showed that he was avoiding her.

"A hotel costs a lot of money, and it's so late now. Just staying in a hotel for a few hours costs almost the same as a whole day. It's not worth it. Asagi, just make do with one night. I'll make it up to you later."

Then just look at me and tell me, why do you look so guilty?

"That's it." Asagi didn't say much. It's not that he couldn't adapt to such a life. On the contrary, he could adapt to an environment that was worse than the current one.

He was surprised because the situation had taken him by surprise. Furthermore, the situation had also turned out differently than he had imagined. He had thought this trip would be a partial trip, with a comfortable hotel in Suwa and amenities like hot springs, allowing him to enjoy life.

The night in Suwa was somewhat quiet, and so were the eyes of the girls in the car. When the sounds in the car completely disappeared, Nina and 486 opened their eyes at the same time, and they could look out the car window at this completely unfamiliar starry sky.

Nina and 486 looked at each other and smiled secretly. Ebizuka Satoshi opened his eyes impatiently and urged them to go to bed early and stop doing anything.

Lupa raised his finger to his lips and made a "hush" gesture.

Asagi heard every move they made. In this kind of place, coupled with the excitement of setting off, Asagi couldn't sleep for a moment. He turned to look at MMK, slumped over the steering wheel, sound asleep. The bright moonlight from outside streamed through the windows, making the car less dark.

In this half-day and half-night light, Asagi saw that MMK's mouth was wide open, and he was a little worried that MMK's saliva would drip onto the steering wheel.

It's amazing that she can sleep so soundly.

The next morning, Asagi was woken by the noises inside the car: 486, Nina, and Ebizka Satoshi were constantly complaining about the temperature. Japan was entering summer, and the weather was getting hotter and hotter. The daytime temperature was also rising, and the summer atmosphere was gradually taking over.

"It's so hot,"

"It's so hot."

"Even if you save money, you won't do this..."

486 and Rencai stuck out their tongues and kept patting the air with their hands to relieve the heat.

MMK feigned ignorance. She covered her eyes with her hat, folded her arms, and leaned back in her chair, pretending to be still asleep. "Things like this can be dealt with if you just bear with them. Hotels are a waste of money."

If MMK had her eyes open at this moment, Asagi felt that she would definitely say this.

"Oh ha yo..." Suddenly, a very beautiful older sister stood outside the car and gently tapped on the window. Asagi looked over. The older sister was wearing a red dress, black-framed glasses, and her long, soft black hair was draped over her shoulders. She smiled happily, revealing her white teeth.

The elder sister is dressed like an intellectual queen, and looks very literary.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey..." Asagi reached out and pushed MMK, waking her up and saying, "Someone is coming..."

MMK opened his eyes, looked at the older sister outside the car, and shouted happily, "Meiyin Nissan?"

Asagi saw MMK's expression from the side. At that time, MMK's eyes were filled with uncontrollable joy. She grinned and laughed happily, like a child.

The beautiful lady in red is called Meiyin, a senior whom MMK met in Tokyo. Like MMK, Meiyin came to Tokyo from her hometown, held live shows on her own, and persisted in making music.

When MMK first arrived in Tokyo, her heart wasn't as optimistic as her expression. She was filled with confusion and anxiety. It was a strange city, a strange audience, and unfamiliar roads.

It was at that time that MMK met Meiyin. She was attracted by Meiyin's gentle singing voice and gained courage from her singing. As a result, MMK became a loyal fan of Meiyin. In her free time, MMK would secretly go to watch Meiyin's live performances.

This time, Meiyin called MMK to help. In fact, in Asagi's opinion, it was not MMK who helped Meiyin, but Meiyin Nissan who helped MMK. Because there was money to be made.

Money is what MMK lacks most. So, after receiving the job at the Suwa Fireworks Festival, Mion thought of MMK. Having worked her way through Tokyo and finally returned home, Mion understood the hardships of life better than anyone. So, she thought of MMK and offered him a share of the job.

"486, how's your neck?" Asagi looked at 486 with a hint of concern. Because An and Subaru hadn't slept properly last night, she had a stiff neck. However, because 486 often used cute tricks, her stiff neck looked even cuter to Asagi than usual.

However, despite being cute, Asagi was still a little worried about 486's current condition. He had also suffered from a stiff neck and knew that it was not a pleasant feeling.

"Instead of worrying about your neck, you should pay more attention to the ensemble. 486 and Nina, you should be more serious. You are two beats behind in rhythm." Satoshi Ebizuka angrily accused 2 and Nina.

Asagi sighed softly and shook his head helplessly. It couldn't be helped. 486 and Nina were newbies, after all. Their skills were nowhere near Shanghai Laozukazhi's. So, Asagi was prepared for the possibility of falling behind the beat and minor hiccups.

Asagi wasn't being too harsh on them. However, if Ebizaka Satoshi stepped up to urge them on, Asagi wouldn't interfere. Playing around helped improve team harmony.

"Isn't "Only My Railgun" a song composed by Asagi? Why do you act like you don't care at all? Why don't you say something?" Ebizka Satoshi seemed to want to seek help from Asagi.

Generally speaking, a composer treats his music like his own child. If someone were to treat their own music with such disregard, practicing it with a frivolous and playful attitude, the composer would surely be furious and rebuke them.

Asagi looked at the seeking look in Ebzukachi's eyes, and he could only turn his head away and pretend not to see it.

At this moment, the beautiful lady came in. She was carrying a vintage-looking guitar and was standing aside, clapping her hands softly.

"It's an excellent song! MMK has written another beautiful song like 'Halal no Bako'." Mion applauded and gave MMK a look of approval. In Mion's opinion, this song was undoubtedly written by MMK. She could tell the difference between the beginners present, Nina and 486, just by listening.

Asagi stood aside. She glanced at him, curious about his role. In this band, Asagi seemed to be a superfluous character. When she first saw Asagi, she was slightly stunned. She thought Asagi was a driver, but she also felt that Asagi was a little young, not old enough.

Asagi followed MMK and the others to the practice room, which made Minone even more curious about the boy in front of her.

"Huh?" MMK lowered her head sheepishly. "This isn't my song, it's Asagi." She looked towards Asagi. Mion followed MMK's gaze and fixed her eyes on Asagi. How could this boy write a song like this?

Now, Mion seemed to understand why Asagi was standing here with MMK and the others. Mion smiled and nodded to Asagi, and Asagi responded politely. Perhaps this gesture was simple, but in MMK's eyes, it was already a great recognition.

As a senior, Meiyin nodded to the junior and lowered her posture, which was a sign of respect here. However, Meiyin did not ask about the follow-up. She just stood on the stage and played a short piece by herself, showing off her singing voice.

Mion's songs are completely different from MMK's. Mion's melodies are soothing and carry a sense of nostalgia. Her songs aren't as bold and flamboyant as those of younger people. This perfectly aligns with Asagi's perception of Mion as an intellectual older sister.

"MMK-san looks like a little girl."

Asagi nodded, agreeing with Nina's point. MMK had completely transformed the moment he met Mion, a look not even Asagi had ever seen before.

Asagi has only seen the usual adult-like MMK, who looks like an experienced person and seems to know everything. In addition to this, there is another type of MMK, the crybaby MMK.

"Have you guys practiced the other song?" Asagi turned to ask Rupa and the others. The other song was "No Name." Asagi thought this piece, a collaboration between MMK and the others, was quite good, a cry from the silence of despair. But precisely because of this, MMK's songs were unpopular and so niche.

The public doesn't like sad things. They don't have that kind of heart-wrenching despair that makes them unable to extricate themselves, so they can't empathize with others.

"Yeah, I'm already very skilled." Renai smiled happily.

"You guys just do a perfunctory job with the songs I give you, but practice the songs you composed yourself seriously, right? That's the difference in treatment." Asagi said jokingly.

He explained that his piece, "Only My Railgun," was prepared for the summer music festival and had been released very recently, leaving them no time to practice. They had written "No Name" a while ago and practiced it regularly, so their performance was more fluent.

"No, no," 486 quickly waved his hands in denial.

"That's absolutely not the case!" Rencai shouted anxiously.

"We didn't ignore Asagi's song," Tomoya Ebzuka explained.

Originally, this was a joke from Asagi, but he didn't expect it to make everyone's emotions so unstable. Seeing everyone's nervous expressions, Asagi quickly apologized.

"Sorry, sorry, I was just kidding. I know you're trying hard, I just wanted to lighten the mood. I didn't expect to make you so upset. I was inconsiderate."

Chapter 163: Vulnerable Place

The fireworks display in Suwa lasts for a long time, but unfortunately Asagi and his friends came to Suwa for work and had no time to watch the fireworks display.

Asagi was quite excited about the fireworks display, as the fireworks displays he usually saw in anime were always fun, with all sorts of delicious food and beautiful girls in kimonos walking down the street.

The most important point is that Asagi has never seen MMK, 486, Nina, Chi-chan and Rupa wearing kimonos. Asagi feels very sorry about this.

"MMK-san, you can drink without worry. I will pretend not to see it." Asagi held his chin and looked outside.

In the evening, Meiyin invited them to a dinner at a small shop on the street. The street around the shop was a little deserted, and even the light from the street lamps outside was not enough to illuminate the entire street.

This is an environment very similar to a small country town. Although it is deserted, it can also be said to be quiet.

Mione-san sat across from them, looking a little lonely, but there was nothing to be done about it. Aside from MMK, no one else was very familiar with Mione, which created a sense of distance between them. Mione-san didn't seem to mind it much, but MMK, freed from Asagi's surveillance, had become fixated on Beer.

And then there was Rupa, who seemed intent on getting MMK drunk today, and wouldn't stop until she was drunk. Asagi could only pretend not to notice. Compared to MMK's reckless behavior, Minon-senpai's drinking was much more elegant.

In the back room, Nina, 486, and Ebizuka Satoshi were chattering about something. As a minor, Asagi should have been sitting at the same table with Nina and the others.

But considering that Asagi was the only boy, he should sit with the adults. So, Asagi sat at the table with MMK, Rupa, and Mion. However, he couldn't drink, so he could only watch MMK and the others drink.

Senior Meiyin picked up the beer and gently placed it to her lips. The golden liquid moved slightly along her throat.

Asagi watched Mi-on drinking with curiosity, their eyes meeting. Mi-on set down her glass, still full of beer. She reached out to tuck the hair that had fallen by her ear, revealing her fair earlobe.

"Is there something on my face?" Miyin held her chin and tilted her head to ask Asagi in confusion.

"No, I was just thinking that it would be nice if MMK-san was as reserved as Minon-senpai."

As he spoke, Asagi glanced at MMK next to him. She was almost drunk now, lying on the table, her cheeks red from the beer, and she kept saying toast to Rupa.

"MMK's cheerfulness is also very cute. You will understand it after spending more time with her."

I saw it a long time ago, Asagi answered in his heart.

Turning his head, Asagi saw that Senior Minon's right fingers were tapping gently on the side of the cup, with a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

"Do your family members support Minone-senpai?" Asagi asked. Minone didn't shake her head, but instead gave a pitiful smile.

"They don't object to me doing this,"

That means I don't support you. Although Mion-senpai didn't say it explicitly, Asagi could read the answer from her face.

"Miyin-senpai's singing voice is so gentle. Hearing her voice, I feel like I'm in the warm spring sunshine, looking down at the endless fields before me. My mind is instantly freed."

"Really? Haha, haha, hahaha..." Meiyin was stunned for a moment, then laughed happily. This time her smile did not contain any emotion, it was just the most direct and pure smile.

"You are very good at infiltrating the most vulnerable part of a girl's heart." Meiyin picked up the glass, drank a large glass of beer in one gulp, and then looked at Asagi with drunken eyes.

"Will Minon-senpai give up singing?" Asagi asked.

Meiyin thought for a moment and then slowly spoke,

"Give up? I've thought about that, too. After graduating from university, I went to Tokyo to work hard on my own, performing on the streets and then doing live shows non-stop. The truth is, only after trying hard can you understand how cruel the truth is. The first time you fail, you might think you're just unlucky, but with repeated failures, anyone would think it's their own fault."

"If I had listened to my parents' advice, I would be a music teacher now. I wouldn't have to worry about life, and I would have plenty of time to relax, listen to music, and develop some extra interests."

"But, even so, I still want to keep going. It's not easy to let go of something you love. I like that feeling, the feeling of standing on the stage, telling everyone what's in my heart and what I want to express."

After saying this, Mion-senpai deliberately put on a smile that was even brighter than before. However, in Asagi's opinion, that was a deception and a lie.

"Mion-senpai's smile is ugly because it makes him look too sad," Asagi said coldly. His expression seemed cold, so his words were more devastating.

Meiyin in front of him was stunned. She lowered her head with a gloomy expression.

"I see. I didn't think Asagi-kun could tell. I thought I had disguised myself well."

After a moment, she raised her head again, her eyes fixed on the deep darkness beyond. There, she felt as if she could find a home and a place to rest. Nearby, MMK, already drunk, had fallen asleep on the table. Rupa, on the other hand, seemed quite sober. MMK would soon leave this guy to her.

"Can I invite Mion-san?" Asagi suddenly asked. He thought about it and thought that it would be perfectly fine for his firm to have some idle people in the future.

"Invite?" Miyin looked at Asagi in confusion.

"Well, I plan to set up an agency," Asagi replied.

In front of her, Mion thought for a while and finally rejected Asagi.

"Thank you for inviting me. However, setting up a company is not easy. It requires a lot of money."

"As for me, I don't want others to pity me, nor do I want you to feel pity for me after hearing a few words and want to help me without knowing your own limitations."

How could Asagi care about such a rejection? He could tell that this wasn't Mion-senpai's true feelings. A person who had safely exited Tokyo, luggage in tow, exhausted physically and mentally. But, after returning home, still persevering in music, how could he not be moved and yearn for it?

She just regarded herself as a burden and thought she was no longer valuable.

"Then, when the time comes, I'll have to come and invite Senior Meiyin myself."

"Hey? Didn't you hear what I just said? I don't need it."

"I heard it, I heard Minon-senpai say, 'I'm lonely and miserable.'" As soon as she finished speaking, Asagi looked up at Minon-senpai, who opened her mouth but couldn't speak. Her lips moved briefly, then she fell silent.

Chapter 164 Shadows in the Dark

"Mina-san, we're a new, new, new band called MY ALL. Today is our first time performing on the Suwa stage. Standing here, I have a very unique feeling. How should I put it? I'm very happy and excited."

Nina stood on the live stage, excited about the topic. Her face was filled with a smile, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up. Asagi watched from below. Nina in this state was much more cheerful than in the anime.

I remember that in the anime, Nina's mentality at this time was not yet completely relaxed. And because MMK was clamoring to leave the group, Nina was always worried.

At that time, Rencai was almost venting her inner anger and dissatisfaction on the stage.

But now it was different. At this moment, Rencai's mind was filled with happiness and joy, as well as a bright vision for the band's future. Everyone was having a great time, watching the band go further and further.

"I am standing here at the invitation of Meiyin Nissan. When I first joined the band, I was also uneasy and confused. However, everyone has always been tolerant of me. So, I also want to say to Meiyin Nissan and everyone,

Just as Renai was racking her brains for what to say, Rupa pushed her forward with his butt.

"Enough of the nonsense, let's get started." Rupa urged from the side.

"That's right." Nina smiled knowingly, then looked at the stage. Asagi was standing in a corner below the stage. She looked around, but because of the lighting, she didn't see Asagi.

"Then let's sing." Nina grinned.

The crowd below the stage was excited. Asagi stood in a corner, enjoying the live performance with them. Actually, most of these fans came for Minon-senpai; you could say they were Minon-senpai's fans.